The Ministry of External Affairs has introduced the e-passport initiative as part of the Passport Seva Program (PSP) version 2.0. This initiative marks a significant advancement in modernizing India's passport system and aims to eliminate redundancy in passport holder data. The e-passport will enhance identity verification processes and provide improved security against fraud.

An e-passport is a modernized version of traditional paper documents, incorporating a secure electronic chip that contains personal and biometric information. This passport utilizes a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip to store all personal details and biometric data.

Recognizing an e-passport is straightforward, as it features a small additional golden symbol located beneath the front cover of the passport.

The primary advantage of e-passports is enhanced security. They are equipped with a digitally signed chip that significantly reduces the risks of forgery, passport duplication, and identity theft.